Ankara to Host High-Level Security Meeting Between Syria and Turkey

The Turkish capital, Ankara, is set to host a high-level meeting between officials from Syria and Turkey today, Sunday, focusing on security cooperation and combating terrorism amid rapid regional developments.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced in a statement on Saturday evening that the meeting will include the Turkish Foreign and Defense Ministers, Hakan Fidan and Yaşar Güler, along with the head of intelligence, İbrahim Kalın, and their Syrian counterparts.

The Syrian state news agency (SANA) reported that the Syrian delegation will include Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad is not mentioned but rather  “Asa’ad Hasan Al-Shaibani” which translates to Asaad al-Sharaa being mentioned in other news is likely referring to  Foreign Minister  Asaad al-Shibani , Defense Minister Major General Ali Mahmoud, and Intelligence Chief Hossam Al-Salama, who will conduct talks with their Turkish counterparts on “common issues related to combating terrorism, border control, enhancing stability, and security cooperation and joint training.”

This meeting comes after a previous meeting between the Turkish and Syrian Foreign Ministers in Ankara last Wednesday. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed after the meeting that “elements targeting Syria’s security also pose a threat to Turkey,” emphasizing the need to tackle any terrorist organization active in Syrian territory.

Fidan also criticized the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), saying they follow “a separatist agenda under the guise of fighting ISIS” and called for an approach that ensures the unity and sovereignty of Syrian territory and serves regional stability.

The meeting is the latest step in a series of talks between Ankara and Damascus aimed at normalizing relations after years of tension, amid regional and international mediations seeking to rapproche the two sides, particularly on refugee issues, border security, and the future of northern Syria.